BBI: Growing interest among younger generation in traditional arts
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The founder of Belantara Budaya Indonesia (BBI), Diah Kusumawardani Wijayanti, stated that interest among the younger generation in traditional arts continues to rise, evidenced by the increasing number of students enrolled in traditional dance and music schools managed by her organisation, which has now reached approximately 9,000 pupils.
“Interest is increasing; they are becoming more enthusiastic about dancing, exploring styles they rarely see. They want to learn about the specifics of Tari Pukat or Tari Jaipong,” said Diah during the ‘Culture Beyond Borders: International Cultural Showcase’ held at the Museum Bank Indonesia, Jakarta, on Saturday.
Diah noted that Belantara Budaya Indonesia currently manages 22 free traditional dance and music schools, including two schools specifically for people with disabilities and two inclusive schools.
“Preserving Indonesian culture and tradition is not just about learning traditional dance and music, but also about learning Indonesian character and ethics,” she remarked.
She added that the organisation also encourages parental involvement to support children in studying cultural arts, ensuring that cultural preservation efforts remain sustainable. According to Diah, several long-term participants in the Belantara training programme have successfully established careers as dance teachers and professional choreographers.
“Around 20 children have already become professional teachers and choreographers. They also have opportunities to perform and earn an income from their chosen field,” she said.
Diah believes that opportunities to perform on international stages serve as a means to build confidence in the younger generation while introducing Indonesian culture to the global community. Looking ahead, Belantara aims to strengthen cultural diplomacy through cooperation with various countries to ensure Indonesian arts and culture become more widely recognised globally.
The ‘Culture Beyond Borders: International Cultural Showcase’ was organised to commemorate the 13th anniversary of Belantara Budaya Indonesia and to welcome the 499th anniversary of the City of Jakarta. The event featured cultural performances from Indonesia and several partner nations, including Russia, Pakistan, Thailand, Palestine, Turkey, and Japan.